By Jacob McDougald
The city of Bowie, MD prides itself on its diversity, safety, and commerce, but only one place can be considered the city’s heart, Allen Pond Park. Originally, this pond and the surrounding area were owned by a farmer, James Allen.
He and his family raised cattle and tobacco on the property. Allen established the pond as a fishing attraction and sold access as annual shares for ten dollars. In 1965, the land along with the pond was sold to Levitt & Sons, the developer of Belair at Bowie, with Allen making a request that the pond and surrounding area become a park for the community.
Since then, generations of families have been able to come together and enjoy the beautiful landscape with its plethora of recreational capabilities. The park features the Bowie Ice Arena, the Robert V. Setera Amphitheater, the Bowie Skate Park, boat rentals, a 10-acre stocked pond, six illuminated ballfields, picnic areas, pavilions, walking and bicycling routes, a lighted basketball court, a fitness station, and various playground sections.
It is also the location of Opportunity Park, which provides 100% accessible experiences at its children’s playground, or “Tot Lot”, fitness cluster, and fishing. The park has 39% total wood cover, with the pond occupying 12% of the park.
On the playground, laughter fills the air along with the sound of the sprinting footsteps of kids making memories with friends. By the pond, serenity is found among the elder gentlemen who enjoy fishing and feeding the geese as a means to relax. Tucked away across a short bridge in the woods is a pavilion that is carved all over with decades’ worth of names and symbols that capture moments long past. The large green hillside next to the pavilion invites togetherness. All that is necessary on the carefully groomed green grass is a blanket and a partner. The basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields, and skate park emphasize the naturally active nature of this community, for both the young and the old.
15-year-old high school sophomore Malachi Smith is a frequent visitor and avid enjoyer of Allen Pond Park. “I’ve been coming to Allen Pond ever since I was little. I remember going with my older brothers and we would just play in the park.”
Smith is also a Life Scout and a soccer player and regularly practices at one of Allen Pond’s numerous soccer fields. When asked about his most common activity at Allen Pond, he said, “When I’m by myself, I usually like to practice soccer or just run around there. Every morning I run around the track twice to get my two miles in before I go to school.”
Smith spoke about the importance of Allen Pond Park to the community when he said, “I feel like Allen Pond is really important to the Bowie community because we have such big events there, like Bowiefest, and I remember in the summertime they always had these music events every Sunday at 7:00 pm. They would have the Army, the Coast Guard, and other bands play and it just brings the community of Bowie together. Which is important for us to fellowship, especially with us being one of the richest black neighborhoods in the country.”
Bowie, MD is in Prince George’s County, which is ranked as the second-richest predominantly black county nationwide.
The most notable event that Allen Pond Park hosts is Bowiefest. Bowiefest is an annual festival that celebrates the best of the city of Bowie while encouraging community togetherness and serves to highlight the rich history of this growing residential town. It does so by bringing the best of Bowie’s civic organizations, entertainers, and businesses together for a day of fun all over the park. Around the pond, there will be three stages and a wide variety of booths and activities.
When asked about his best Bowiefest experience, Smith said, “I think it was either 2017 or 2018, my brother Mateo and I were walking with our friend Joseph. We were hanging out together. It was fun just walking around and not buying anything because we were broke back then.” Young people venturing into the park taking pictures, trying free samples, and hanging out are incredibly common at this event.
For decades, Allen Pond Park has been a beacon of serenity and community to the city of Bowie. It will continue to be a place that unites the area, helps grow relationships, and promotes togetherness in all aspects.
